Hapoel Jerusalem Secures First League Win With Dramatic 4-2 Comeback

Hapoel Jerusalem achieved their first victory of the season in the Israeli Premier League on Saturday, defeating Ironi Kiryat Shmona 4-2 in a thrilling match played in Rehovot. The team, having lost their previous two games, found themselves trailing twice but managed to equalize and then take the lead in a dynamic second half that saw five goals.

Kiryat Shmona started strongly, with Niv Gabaei scoring in the 19th minute on his debut. However, Hapoel Jerusalem's goalkeeper Nadav Zamir made crucial saves to keep the deficit to a single goal by halftime. Following halftime substitutions, Jerusalem emerged with renewed vigor.

Taiye leveled the score in the 52nd minute, but Ariel Shartzi quickly restored Kiryat Shmona's advantage. Andrew Idokwu equalized for Jerusalem for the second time in the 58th minute, before Sunny completed the comeback in the 66th minute. Idokwu sealed the victory with his second goal in the 73rd minute, capping off a 21-minute scoring blitz by Jerusalem. Kiryat Shmona was reduced to ten men in the 79th minute when Siman Tov received a second yellow card.

The win moves Hapoel Jerusalem to three points in the league standings, while Kiryat Shmona also remains on three points. The match was played at the Rehovot stadium.